Penobscot Theatre Company's Dramatic Academy Presents HOLES This Weekend

In a winter of record low temperatures, members of Penobscot Theatre Company's Dramatic Academy have been working up a sweat, digging holes with Louis Sachar's stage adaptation of his award-winning novel. Weaving past and present, Holes is the humorous, heartwarming story of the cursed Yelnats family, Kissin' Kate Barlow, and the hard-luck kids at Camp Green Lake. Under the direction of Amy Roeder, Penobscot Theatre Company's director of education, the family-friendly show is sure to please audiences of all ages-except perhaps no-good, dirty-rotten, pig-stealing great-great grandfathers. Performances will be at 7:00 pm on March 6, 7 and 8 at the William S. Cohen School, 304 Garland Street in Bangor.

"This story has resonated with young readers and adults alike because it's clever, not cloying," said Roeder. "Sachar takes a familiar arc-a young person learning about responsibility and friendship under extreme circumstances-and infuses it with detail, avoiding the predictability of a simplistic morality play. Holes has allowed our young actors to explore real acting challenges in bringing these complex characters to life."

The cast includes the following young people, aged 5-13:

• Tiny Thespians: Lily Barrington, Colin Buck, Maia Johnson
• Youth Troupe: Andrew Barret, Tala Bayless, Sophia Bilodeau, Thea Bowden, Ian Buck, Elisabeth Budd, Emma Campbell, Kaitlyn Carrerira, Ian Eskisen, Madison Evans, Rebekah Friedman, Isabella Gappa, Molly Hagerty, Meghan Harriman, Anna Kemble, Conor Laferriere, Nathan Manaker, Gillian McCarthy, Sophia Mullins, Joseph Rutledge, Lana Sabbagh, Lilie Sites, Natalie Tzovarras, and Laurel Whidden.

Rounding out the creative team are Ben Layman, assistant director; Elliott Wilcox, scenic and lighting designer; Brandie Rita, sound designer; and Catherine Darragh, costume designer and stage manager.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.penobscottheatre.org or by calling the Box Office at 942-3333. Adult tickets are $12 and children are $8 each.